Tape dispensing case

ABSTRACT

A tape dispensing case is provided. The tape dispensing case may include a base that has a sidewall extending from an outer perimeter of the base. The tape dispensing case may further include a cap that releasably attaches to the base. A housing is formed in between the base, the sidewall, and the cap. A spindle is fixed within the housing. A core inner surface of a tape roll may fit over the spindle. A holster clip may be attached to the tape dispensing case so that a user may attach the tape dispensing case to themselves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tape dispensing case and, moreparticularly, to a tape dispensing case attachable to a waistband orbelt.

Masking tape, also known as sticky tape, is a type of pressure-sensitivetape made of a thin and easy-to-tear paper, and an easily releasedpressure-sensitive adhesive. It is available in a variety of widths andadhesive strengths. It is used mainly in painting, to mask off areasthat should not be painted. The adhesive is the key element to itsusefulness, as it allows the tape to be applied to a surface in a mannerintended to create sharp finished paint edges, yet remain easilyremovable without leaving residue or damaging the surface to which it isapplied.

The effectiveness of masking tape is directly related to preventingforeign particles from contaminating both the adhesive and the integrityof the fine edge created by the paper backing. Handheld tape dispensersmust be put aside while applying a portion of tape to a surface withboth hands, risking contamination by dust and debris of the taperemaining on the roll. Additionally, a roll of tape risks directcontamination from the user's hand when being unreeled in a continuousfashion. Solid mounted tape dispensers are suitable only for use at aworkbench or other stationary site and are therefore useless at a remotework site. Neither of these methods of tape dispensation includeprovisions for isolating the tape from contamination and neither methodallows the end user to remain at a remote work site (e.g. up a ladder,on a scaffold, etc.) and retain control of the tape roll from which theyare working while leaving both hands free to apply the tape.

As can be seen, there is a need for a case that properly protects thetape and secures the tape to a user when so desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a tape dispensing casecomprises: a base comprising a sidewall extending from an outerperimeter of the base; a cap releasably attachable to the base, whereina housing is formed in between the base, the sidewall, and the cap; aspindle fixed within the housing, wherein the spindle is formed toreceive a roll of tape; and a holster belt clip attached to the tapedispensing case.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a forward perspective view of the present invention shown inuse;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a forward perspective exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective exploded view of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a section view of the present invention along line 5-5 in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a substantially enclosed and wearablemasking tape dispenser. By providing a convenient mounting for the tapedispenser on the users person (the belt line), as well as a hard cover,removable for installation of masking tape onto the device, the issuescaused by foreign matter contaminating the adhesive and the fine edge onthe masking tape itself are effectively eliminated. Additionally, bothof the user's hands are free to apply the tape to the desired surface intwo distinct ways: while wearing the device on the beltline and removingindividual strips of adhesive tape to be applied to a surface with bothfree hands; and while holding the removable portion of the dispenser inone hand and applying a single continuous portion of tape to a surfaceas one might when laying out patterns to be painted on a large portionof wall, without the risk of dropping the unprotected tape and causingfurther contamination.

After removing the cover and installing a roll of masking tape onto thedispenser with the leading edge of the tape protruding from a smallopening, the end user may then situate themselves at any work site andapply the tape to the work surface without the need to hold thedispenser by hand (unless desired, as with continuous dispensation) orconversely repeatedly move between a permanently mounted roll and thework site. The present invention effectively eliminates contamination ofthe tape roll from airborne contaminants, contamination of the tape rollfrom work site debris as well as the user's own hands, time wasted bythe end user moving between the work site and a permanently mounted taperoll, time wasted by the end user moving between the worksite and anunprotected roll that has been repeatedly dropped, and the risk to theend user of dropping the unprotected tape, causing further contaminationand/or physical damage to the tape roll itself, all while still allowingsaid tape, when contained within the dispenser, to be intuitivelyhandled as if it were in not in an enclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a tapedispensing case 10. The tape dispensing case 10 may include a base 12that has a sidewall 13 extending from an outer perimeter of the base 12.The tape dispensing case 10 may further include a cap 14 that releasablyattaches to the base 12. A housing is formed in between the base 12, thesidewall 13 and the cap 14. A spindle 22 is fixed within the housing. Acore inner surface 20 of a tape roll 16 may fit over the spindle 22. Aholster clip 34 may be attached to the tape dispensing case 10.

In certain embodiments, the spindle 22 may be fixed to the base 12 andmay extend from the base 12 in between the sidewall 13. In certainembodiments, the spindle 22 may include an internal surface forming athreaded female portion 24. Extending from the cap 14 may include athreaded male portion 26 that may releasably attach to the threadedfemale portion 24. Therefore, the cap 14 may releasably secure to thebase 12 via the threaded portions 24, 26.

The present invention may further include a holster plate 11. Theholster plate 11 may include the holster clip 34. The holster clip 34may be sized to fit and attach to a belt or a waistband. In certainembodiments, the base 12 may be substantially rounded and may include anouter rim 28 extending therefrom. Further, the cap 28 may also besubstantially rounded and may include an outer rim 28 extendingtherefrom. The holster clip 34 may include a receiving lip 32 which mayreceive and secure the outer rim 28 of either the cap 14 or the base 12.

In certain embodiments, the tape dispensing case 10 may be made of astrong material, such as metal, plastic or a combination thereof. Incertain embodiments, the holster plate 11 may include a magneticmaterial 36. Therefore, the holster plate 11 may attract the metalportions of the tape dispensing case 10, and thereby the tape dispensingcase 10 may releasably attach to, and detach from, the holster plate 11.In certain embodiments, the magnetic material 36 may be embedded in thereceiving lip 32 of the holster plate 11. Therefore, the metal rim 28may securely attach within the receiving lip 32.

In certain embodiments, the sidewall 13 may include a gap 30 formed sothat the end of the tape 18 may protrude from the tape dispensing case10. To use the present invention, a user may unscrew the cap 14 from thebase 12. The user may place the roll of tape 16 over the spindle 22 andalign the end of the tape 18 with the gap 30 in the sidewall. The usermay then screw the cap 14 back onto the base 12. The base 12 or the cap14 may be attached to the holster plate 11. The user may then attach theholster belt clip 34 to their belt or waistband. The user may now usethe tape 16 both hands free or in hand as earlier described, as well askeeping the tape 16 clean.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape dispensing case comprising: a basecomprising a sidewall extending from an outer perimeter of the base; acap releasably attachable to the base, wherein a housing is formed inbetween the base, the sidewall, and the cap; a spindle fixed within thehousing, wherein the spindle is formed to receive a roll of tape; and aholster belt clip attached to the tape dispensing case.
 2. The tapedispensing case of claim 1, wherein the spindle is fixed to the base andextending from the base in between the sidewall.
 3. The tape dispensingcase of claim 2, wherein the spindle comprises an internal surfaceforming a threaded female portion.
 4. The tape dispensing case of claim3, wherein the cap further comprises a threaded male portion configuredto releasably attach to the threaded female portion.
 5. The tapdispensing case of claim 4, wherein the spindle is substantially hollowand the threaded female portion is substantially hollow so that the tapedispensing case comprises an aperture running through a center portion.6. The tape dispensing case of claim 1, further comprising a holsterbase plate comprising the holster belt clip, wherein the base isreleasably attachable to the holster base plate.
 7. The tape dispensingcase of claim 4, wherein the holster base plate comprises a receivinglip, wherein the base comprises an outer rim formed to releasably securewithin the receiving lip.
 8. The tape dispensing case of claim 4,wherein the base and the cap are made of a metal, and wherein the baseplate comprises magnetic material.
 9. The tape dispensing case of claim1, wherein a gap is formed in the sidewall.